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Illustration of Gunbird

Gunbird

Overview

Gunbird is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up released in 1994 by Japanese company Psikyo. It was followed by a sequel, Gunbird 2, in 1998. The first game was released in the United States and Europe as Mobile Light Force for the PlayStation.

Gunbird uses anime-styled character as the player's chosen craft. A story plays out in between levels and before boss fights, telling a tale of how the protagonists are trying to collect pieces of a magic mirror to make a wish.

The cutscenes between the battles with 2 players fighting cooperatively are frequently packed with hilarious dialogue and situations. This is often a recurring theme with Psikyo games, the Gunbird games being no exception.

Each character in Gunbird has three attacks: A normal shot, a charge shot, and a bomb that clears the screen of enemies and bullets. The normal shot can be strengthened by grabbing power-ups and extra bombs can be collected. Coins, which are found by destroying certain buildings or enemies, can be collected for bonus points.

This is the first Psikyo game to feature a special power-down system, one that would be used in every Psikyo shooter afterward; when physically rammed by an enemy, you lose a power-level, which flies around the screen and disappears as soon as it reaches the edge. If you are at the lowest level of shot, you lose a bomb instead (which does the same thing).

Developers
Psikyo
Publishers
Atlus
Genre
Shooter
Alternate Names
  • Mobile Light ForceNorth AmericaFlag of North America region

Media

Box - 3D

Gunbird - Box - 3D (Japan) - 984x964
Japan -  984 x 964

Box - Back

Gunbird - Box - Back (Japan) - 1788x1381
Japan -  1788 x 1381

Box - Front

Gunbird - Box - Front (Japan) - 1431x1406
Japan -  1431 x 1406

Clear Logo

Gunbird - Clear Logo (null) - 400x175
400 x 175

Disc

Gunbird - Disc (Japan) - 501x501
Japan -  501 x 501

Fanart - Background

Gunbird - Fanart - Background (Asia) - 1920x1080
Asia -  1920 x 1080
Gunbird - Fanart - Background (null) - 1920x1080
1920 x 1080

Screenshot - Game Title

Gunbird - Screenshot - Game Title (Japan) - 320x240
Japan -  320 x 240